Sunday, May 22, 2016

Comets Sign Ex Viper Forward Marino:

The American Hockey League (AHL) Uitca Comets have signed former Vernon Vipers forward Brandon Marino.This is Marino's second stint with the Comets this year. Marino started the season with the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) Brampton Beast, picked up (13-goals-28-assists-41-points) in 40 games before signing a Professional Tryout Contract (PTO) with the Comets January 12th 2016. Marino was released February 10th 2016 after scoring once in eight games with Utica. Marino will join former Vipers Kellen Jones (2006-2010) & Michael Zalewski (2010-2012) who are also with the Comets.Marino spent last season with the Austrian Erste Bank Hockey League (AEBHL) SAPA Fehérvár AV19. SAPA Fehérvár AV19, is a Hungarian ice hockey team. After four years with Bemidji State University Marino spent the next five seasons playing in four different leagues (IHL, CHL, ECHL & AHL) with three different teams (Quad City, Fort Wayne & Norfolk) before playing in Hungary last season.

Utica Comets Director of Hockey Operations Pat Conacher announced today that the club has signed forward Brandon Marino to a professional tryout contract (PTO).

Marino, 29, scored once and picked up four penalty minutes in eight games for the Comets earlier this season. He has also recorded 41 points (13-28-41) in 40 games for the Brampton Beast of the ECHL this season.

Last year, the Riverside, CA native played in 50 games in Austria for the Szekeshfehervar Alba Volan Hockey Club, where he scored 11 goals and added 28 assists. With the Fort Wayne Komets in 2013-14, he paced the league with 58 assists, and won the league scoring title with 88 points (30-58-88).

During the 2010-11 season with the Quad City Mallards of the CHL, he scored a league high 41 goals, and 13 power-play goals, en route to league MVP honors.

1990 & 1991 Vernon Lakers Inducted Into Okanagan Sports Hall Of Fame

The 1969-70 & 1971-72 Vernon Essos were inducted into the Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame in November 2014

1999 Vernon Vipers Inducted Into BC Hockey Hall Of Fame

The 1999 Vernon Vipers were inducted into the BC Hockey Hall of Fame In July 2016

Kal Tire Place-Home to the Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame

The Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame was established in 1982 through the vision of Vernon resident and sports enthusiast, Nick Alexis. With the support of Vernon City Council, Alexis and a dedicated group of volunteers created a series of outdoor exhibits celebrating the region’s dynamic sporting history in Vernon’s Cenotaph Park. That same year, the new organization unveiled its first round of inductees to the Hall of Fame. Several years later, in 2001, the Hall of Fame moved its exhibits into the newly constructed Vernon Multiplex now known as Kal Tire Place.

About Me

I first created this blog in November of 2008. This coming season will be my ninth season doing this blog. I was born and raised in Vernon, BC and have been going to Junior Hockey games in Vernon since I was a young child. I purchased my first set of season tickets in 1990
I have had season tickets for the last 26 years, Since 1990 I have missed 42 home games.
In September of 2009 I missed my first home game since 2002-03 wich my streak of 236 straight Vipers home games came to an end. Ive missed just three Vipers home games since the 1998-1999 season.
I worked with the Vipers back in 2003-04 as colour comentator helping out with a few games over the internet. In 2011 I helped deisgn, create and put together the Vipers new website for the 2011-12 season. I ran and updated the Vipers website for five seasons, keeping all staff bios and pictures updated, adding new game photos, doing a game preview on game days, as well as adding any Vipers news, scores or BCHL news through out the season.
Over the years I have travelled to Victoria, Dauphin & Camrose to watch the Vipers in the RBC Cup. I was also at the 1990 Centennial Cup & 2014 RBC Cup in Vernon.